First, check out the new trailer for the upcoming sci-fi movie Elysium from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp below – we have been waiting since last year’s Comic-Con for a full scale look at the film, which imagines the rich escaping to a space station called Elysium, leaving a poverty-stricken Earth behind. Then see below for answers to your burning questions about the Matt Damon-starrer, which will be released in theaters on August 9.

There is a lot going on in the trailer, so let’s get right to it. Blomkamp and the cast and crew were on hand in Hollywood this week to premiere the trailer and discuss the film.

1. What is up with that suit that Max (Damon) is wearing?

Max’s exoskeleton is a strength suit inspired by similar models used by the military. Blomkamp said that although it makes Max stronger he is by no means indestructible. It’s a cheap model that someone on poverty-stricken future Earth would be able to get their hands on.

“I personally wrote emails to different companies that I wanted to try to get into the film,” Blomkamp said. “And one of my favorites is Kawasaki, which is on his suit. So the idea is it looks like a dirtbike … I wanted it to look really grungy and extremely low-end.”

2. How did Earth become so divided - what is the backstory?

Don’t expect the film to spend a lot of time explaining the current state of the human condition.

“I like films that just put you there and you just have to deal with it,” Blomkamp said.

3. What is the basis of reality in Elysium?

“I think if you really try to make a proper speculative piece of science fiction it’s a very different product that you end up with,” Blomkamp said. “In this film … Proper science was sort of thrown out the window in favor of metaphor or story or plot. Building a space station with marble and slate is semi … Not that smart. Not really something that you’d want to do. But the metaphor of Bel Air in space is correct so you just kind of work toward that. My approach is always, start with something ridiculous and try to use the most realistic portrayal of the ridiculous as you can. It’s kind of like I’m painting ridiculous ideas with the brush of reality.”

4. Why does Kruger (Sharlto Copley) have metal implants in his face?

The implants are for easy access for things like night vision and body armor.

“They’re drilled into his bone so it’s just easy on-and-off,” explained Blomkamp. “They just clip on and then there are magnets you can just pull it off.”

5. Is it more of a space movie, or more gravity-based?

Blomkamp told us that about two-thirds of the story takes place on Earth. So we should probably not expect to see spaceships zipping back and forth between Elysium and Earth – they don’t love visitors, from what we understand.